Central residents need to set their alarms and get to bed early tonight to snatch some sleep when they can. Alexandra’s Finn Butcher has qualified for the quarters and potentially the semi-finals in the Paris Olympics kayak cross.

His next races are at 1.52am and potentially 2.28am on Tuesday August 6 (NZ Time) at the Vaires sur Marne Nautical Stadium. 

Fellow kiwi paddler Luuka Jones is in the quarter final at 1.30am and potentially 2.15am for the women’s semi final event. 

29-year old Finn placed first in both round one and heat three to get to the quarter final. 

Finn Butcher and Luuka Jones. PHOTO: NZ Olympic team 

After the quarter final, there is the semi final, small final and then the big final where the medals are up for grabs.

A combined 84 athletes are facing off in Paris across the men's and women's kayak cross.

The event was formerly known as extreme slalom and involves paddlers racing down strong currents after entering the water via a ramp, they then need to navigate the course, swerving around upstream and downstream buoys.

It is physical as they knock into each other and tactics can play a key part, as they need to choose what side of the course they take. 

Along with navigating the gates paddlers have to complete a compulsory kayak roll (360’ rotation under the water),

The quarter finals can be viewed on channel 54 (Paris 2) from 1.25am, or watch free-to-air on Sky Open (Freeview channel 15/ Sky 004).

Best of luck Finn, we’re all behind you!